“I want us to break down that shame and replace the negativity with positivity. Both men and women have been open to the ideas - especially from the younger generation.

“I was talking to someone the other day and they said if it were men who had periods then this policy would have been brought in sooner.

“It’s not just about taking time off if you feel unwell - but about empowering people to be their optimum selves. If you work with your natural rhythms, your creativity and intelligence is more fulfilled.

“And that’s got to be good for business.”

But ‘period policies’ are no new thing.

Menstrual leave began in Japan in 1947 and other countries including South Korea, Taiwan and Indonesia also have laws in place allowing women time off work when they are on their period.

Most recently, the Chinese province Anhui has agreed to give women paid monthly leave if they produce a doctor’s letter.

And sportswear giant Nike is thought to be the only worldwide company to officially include menstrual leave as part of their Code of Conduct.

Bex and her team plan to formulate the policy together as part of a seminar at Hamilton House, Stokes Croft on March 15 called ‘Pioneering Period Policy: Valuing Natural Cycles in the Workplace’.

The seminar will tackle questions surrounding the issue, such as whether taking time off due to periods threatens women’s employability or whether it is unfair to men.

It will also explore whether it is feasible for women to take time off every month.

Seminar leader Alexandra Pope believes “cycle awareness” helps both men and women become more productive.

Pope said: “In the past any proposal to allow women to for example have time off at menstruation has been derided by men and women alike. In this context menstruation is seen as a liability or a problem. Or as women getting ‘special treatment’.

“The purpose of this policy initiative is to create a positive approach to menstruation and the menstrual cycle that empowers women and men and supports the effectiveness and wellbeing of the organisation. To restore the menstrual cycle as the asset it is.”